Coping With Diarrhea and Digestive Distress

Bloating 101: Why You Feel Bloated

Bloating, gassiness, and abdominal discomfort aren’t limited to the
occasional holiday feast. One in 10 Americans say they suffer from bloating
regularly, even when they haven’t eaten a large meal. In some cases, bloating
can become severe enough that it causes distention, or a perceptible swelling
of the abdomen. Bloating and gas are usually tied to what and how you eat, so a
few simple changes may help.

Keep Bloating at Bay

Here are three common causes of bloating, and how you can avoid them.

Overeating is probably the most common cause of bloating. Smaller portions
should ease the pain.

Eating rich and fatty food can make you feel uncomfortably stuffed. Fat
takes longer to digest than protein or carbohydrates, so it keeps the stomach
full longer. Avoid bloating by limiting fats in your everyday diet.

Eating too fast adds to the risk of bloating after a meal. The remedy is
simple -‑ eat more slowly. Satiety signals can take up to 20 minutes to reach
the brain and dampen appetite. Many weight loss experts believe that eating
slowly helps prevent overeating.

Reducing Gassiness

The second most common cause of temporary bloating is gas in the abdomen.
About half of gas in the digestive system is swallowed air. The rest is
produced by bacteria in the gut that help digest food. If the gastrointestinal
tract does not move it through efficiently, gas builds up in the intestines,
causing bloating and discomfort.

If you frequently experience bloating caused by gas, avoid these habits that
increase how much air you swallow.

drinking through a straw

chewing gum

guzzling carbonated beverages

sucking on hard candy.

Some people swallow more air when they’re nervous. It’s possible that
practicing ways to reduce stress and anxiety, such as breathing exercises or
progressive muscle relaxation, may help reduce excess gas and bloating.

Avoid Bloat-Inducing Foods

Difficult-to-digest foods can cause gassiness and bloating. These are some
familiar culprits.

Beans and lentils contain indigestible sugars called oligosaccharides.
These sugars must be broken down by bacteria in the intestines.

Fruits and vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
carrots, prunes, apricots. These contain sugars and starches that may cause
gassiness and bloating.

Sweeteners can also cause gas and bloating. Sorbitol, an artificial
sweetener, can’t be digested. Fructose, a natural sugar added to many processed
foods, is difficult for many people to digest. To avoid bloating, be aware of
these sweeteners in the foods you eat and limit the amount you consume.

Dairy products can be a source of intestinal distress and bloating if you
have trouble digesting lactose, or milk sugar.

Whole grains, recommended for their many health benefits, can sometimes
cause bloating and gas problems. One reason whole grains are so healthy is
their high fiber content. But fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate. Abruptly
increasing the amount of fiber you eat can cause gas, bloating, and
constipation. Nutritionists recommend slowly increasing the fiber in your diet
to allow your body time to adjust. At the same time, drink plenty of water with
high-fiber foods, says nutritionist Joanne L. Slavin, PhD, RD, professor of
food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota. “All fiber absorbs
water,” she explains. Drinking liquids helps fiber move through the digestive
system and prevents bloating and constipation.